A little over a month ago, we received an unexpected new addition to the family. Some folk in our neighborhood decided that we must be rabbit rescuers or something. The man of the couple dropped off a tiny male dwarf rabbit. He said he was approximately 8 years old and they didn’t want him anymore. They were moving and instead of “letting it go outside”, they heard we like rabbits. I couldn’t say no even though I knew I could be taking on a handfull and a heartache.
He’s blind in his right eye. Apparently, he was hit “by accident” by a shoe. It’s clouded over and enlarged. Also, the little rabbit was fed stems off marijuana plants. I guess that counted for his hay? He was in a metal dog crate with nothing on the bottom to absorb his pee/pellets. The fur around his eyes was matted hard.
I still have my elderly rabbit Dima doing alright and I didn’t want to expose him to whatever this rabbit may have. So, the new guy is in a separate room and we handle all his things with gloves. We’ve been disinfecting as we go. I took the new rabbit to the vet for a checkup. The vet said he has snuffles but he is overwise alright. He just needs to gain some weight. I really didn’t want to hear snuffles. But you know, it was kind of expected even though he showed no signs (other than runny eyes.)
Two weeks ago, his snuffles came into full bloom. He started sneezing a lot. His eyes had some white discharge. But what I do not like the most is the “gurgling” in his nose. Excuse my language, it sounds like he is full of snot. There is no nasal discharge though. When he hops around, there is the strong gurgle sound. When he grooms (and he can groom all night) it sounds like gurglesnot-gurglesnot-gurglesnot. When he’s just sitting, it sounds like he is breathing full of snot too. Again, there is no nasal discharge. While he has been gurgling today (grooming and sitting early), he’s dozing and not gurgling right now.
I took him to the vet again and the vet gave us some Baytril ear drops. One day, the rabbit will have a good day (no sounds at all) and then he’s back to the “snot in his nose” sounds. I don’t know if at this stage (after a week and a half) that the ear drops are working and I am wondering if I should bring him back to get oral Baytril? Our “exotic” rabbit savvy vet only seems to prescribe Baytril so that’s why I’m only asking about that one. We have another appointment in 6 days but I don’t know if I should wait or not.
I am worried and hoping that this doesn’t turn into a lower respiratory infection. The vet said that “doesn’t happen so often” but is that true? When I hear so much gurgling/snot I worry. Oh, I forgot to ask. Could he have been in a draft too and caught a chill?
Thanks for any input.
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